AKG Y600 NC Review | 93 Data compared

The AKG Y600NC noise-cancelling headphones offer an affordable £199 alternative to top-tier models like the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose NC Headphones 700. On the positive side, they feature memory foam ear cushions that make them lightweight and comfortable to wear. They also boast a solid 25-hour battery life and an automatic pause feature that stops playback when you take them off. Their active noise cancellation is reliable enough to drown out everyday home disruptions like a loud washer-dryer, and the overall sound quality delivers an admirable performance across various music genres. However, these headphones come with notable design and features compromises. On the negative side, they look highly generic and chunky. The unique left ear-cup twist control for volume adjustment is finicky compared to traditional buttons. Furthermore, the package lacks premium inclusions like a travel case, touch controls, and built-in voice assistant support. The noise cancellation also falls short of pricier rivals, as it struggles to completely eradicate low hums and lacks advanced control levels.

The AKG Y600NC wireless over-ear headphones stand out for their distinctive, idiosyncratic design featuring large, circular earcups attached to a headband via a 90-degree hinge, avoiding the standard "Sony-clone" aesthetic. On the positive side, they offer decent build quality, high comfort levels with memory foam earpads, and an open, well-defined soundstage. Their midrange audio quality is exceptionally strong, delivering accurate, realistic vocals with an easy-going fidelity. Additionally, they feature a unique physical volume dial on the left earcup and "smart ambient" options like "ambient aware" and "talk thru" via the companion app. However, the headphones fall short in several areas. The lower frequency range is a notable con; the bass lacks detail, sounding rather monotonal and disconnected from the rest of the mix. The active noise-cancelling feature is permanently turned on with no option to toggle it off or adjust it, and the app offers very limited control over settings. Furthermore, the volume control mechanism is counter-intuitive—requiring manual twisting and releasing for every single step rather than smoothly ramping up or down. Finally, the overall audio lacks dynamism, and the...

The AKG Y600NC wireless headphones offer a high-end, comfortable design with excellent build quality, intuitive controls, and a robust 25-hour battery life. Sonically, they deliver well-balanced, clear audio with strong bass and distortion-free performance. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, specifically noting poor active noise cancellation that fails to block ambient sounds and a companion app with limited functionality. These factors, along with the high price point, make it difficult for the headphones to compete with top-tier, mid-range alternatives.

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the AKG Y600NC wireless headphones highlights a comfortable design, robust build quality, and an airy, detailed sound profile. Positive features include effective transparency modes and useful auto play/pause functionality, providing an enjoyable listening experience. Conversely, the review notes the headphones lack punch, fail to reach high volumes, and feature mediocre active noise cancellation (ANC) that underperforms compared to competitors. Further drawbacks include weak bass/treble, cheap-feeling controls, and the inclusion of a soft pouch rather than a hard case.

The AKG Y600NC over-ear headphones are designed to provide a budget-friendly option for users seeking active noise-cancelling (ANC) and extreme comfort without a massive price tag. Their standout feature is supreme comfort, achieved through large earcups crafted from memory foam and lined with protein leather, making them dreamily comfortable to wear for hours at a time. They feature a solid Bluetooth 5 connection, a practical 2.5mm to 3.5mm wired backup option, functional automation like auto start/stop via a well-integrated app, and a robust folding design that avoids cheap, creaky plastic finishes. However, several compromises were made to hit this lower price point, particularly regarding sound and noise cancellation. The primary cons are that the active noise-cancelling is weak compared to competitors like the Bose NC 700 or Surface Headphones 2, and the overall sound profile lacks distinction, offering a slightly sharp top-end and a less impactful bass response. Additionally, because the soft-touch earcups are quite large, they can occasionally slide around on the head, which can negatively alter how audio hits the ears, and the exterior shell easily attracts visible...

The AKG Y600NC is a mid-range pair of over-ear wireless headphones priced at £199, serving as the first active noise-cancelling (ANC) entry in the company's Y series. On the positive side, these headphones feature a sleek, comfortable design outfitted with memory foam earcups and a highly intuitive physical volume dial built right into the outer section of the left earcup. They provide great user conveniences, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing to connect to two devices at once, automatic wear-detection to pause audio, and a customisable EQ through a companion app. Sonically, they deliver a highly spacious, detailed, and open "AKG reference sound" through their 40mm drivers, though the controlled bass may not satisfy those looking for an intense, ear-shaking low-end response. However, the reviewer highlights several drawbacks, most notably an average active noise cancellation system that fails to block out nearby conversations and is easily outclassed by more expensive rivals. There is no dedicated button to turn ANC off entirely, and users must use the smartphone app just to toggle between the Ambient Aware and TalkThru smart modes. Furthermore, the included...

The Samsung AKG Y600NC wireless headphones offer a mixed performance wrapped in a premium, classic aesthetic. Featuring a lightweight design with memory foam ear cushions and an adjustable metal headband, they excel in user convenience with physical controls, such as a tactile volume dial on the left earcup, automatic play/pause functionality, and seamless multipoint Bluetooth 5 pairing. Battery life is a strong suit, delivering up to 35 hours of playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off, or 25 hours with it enabled, complemented by a fast-charging feature that yields four hours of use from a brief 10-minute charge. However, the headphones stumble when it comes to raw acoustic dynamism and isolating environment noise. The 40mm drivers produce an exceptionally wide, airy soundstage that causes some tracks to feel sparse and disjointed, while the treble lacks high-end sparkle. Furthermore, the active noise cancellation performance is underwhelming; while it can dampen predictable, low-frequency rumbles like an aircraft hum or commuter train, it fails to block out louder ambient sounds and conversations. Ultimately, they serve as a stylish mid-range option, but they...

AKG Y600NC Review Summary The AKG Y600NC wireless over-ear headphones offer a distinctively stylish, comfortable design with large circular earcups and memory foam padding that keeps ears cool during long listening sessions. Built with durable craftsmanship, they feature 40mm dynamic drivers, a respectable 25-hour wireless battery life, and a unique rotating left earcup for volume adjustment. Sonically, the headphones deliver a highly refined, smoothly inoffensive, and easy-going signature with a wide, well-defined soundfield that handles mid-range details like vocals with impressive clarity. However, the headphones suffer from notable performance drawbacks, particularly a heavy-handed, monotonal bass response that lacks low-frequency articulacy and often feels detached from the rest of the sound. There is also a distinct shortage of dynamic heft, meaning music can lack the necessary bite and agility to truly feel alive. Furthermore, the active noise-cancelling is only mediocre, providing a "one-size-fits-all" solution that reduces but does not completely cancel ambient noise, with no option to adjust or switch it off.